Warrant sweeps net 20
arrests in Indy

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - Law enforcement agencies teamed up on Tuesday to clean up public housing in Indianapolis.

Extensive investigations revealed criminal activity at dozens of households receiving federal housing assistance. Officers found guns, drugs and in at least one of the homes unlivable conditions.

"Actually what we are trying to do is show that public housing is not a refuge for criminals," said Bud Myers of the Indianapolis Housing Agency.

An investigation into the theft of guns from Don's Guns Store found that one of the parents of the suspects was fraudulently receiving public housing assistance, which prompted more investigations.

Housing agency investigators found that Walter Hawkins the suspect in a murder earlier this year in the 3300 block of Orchard Avenue was an unreported violent felon living in public housing.

Another housing agency investigation found the suspect who shot at a police officer near 13th and Emerson Avenue back in September was also an unreported felon living in public housing, William Simon.

"They found out that about 85% of the homicides in Marion County this year have been linked to public housing," said Maj. David Allender of the Indianapolis Metro Police Department.

At one location officers found what they describe as unlivable conditions and arrested the two adults in the home.

"Lack of furniture, kids sleeping on a tile floor, no bed, human waste on the floor and officers that actually had to come out and get a breath of fresh air and go back and continue their work," said Lt. Marshall Depew of IMPD.

There were six children living in that home ranging in age from one and a half to eight years old. They are all now in protective custody.

The two adults arrested Ava and Dontay Crowder had been arrested for child neglect in 2005. The charges were not filed.

At the end of the day, officers arrested 20 people and the operation was called a success.